September13,2011

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement after passage of H.R. 2887, the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011:

“I support the passage of this bill to avoid a repeat of the harmful August Federal Aviation Administration shutdown that cost 4,000 federal employees and 70,000 construction workers part of their paychecks.

“Extending funding for Surface Transportation programs will also mean needed upgrades to America’s roads and bridges, infrastructure projects that will create jobs now.

“However this is still only a short-term solution, buying us a few more months before the same debate returns. It is time to remove political obstacles and pass a long-term bill.

“Congress must act to pass a long-term extension that fully funds the air and surface transportation needs of our country. This action is a critical piece of improving our economy for both the short and long term."